Yesterday was all about traveling. We were up early to work for a little while before heading aaall the way up to Bethesda, Maryland so that we could get our car fixed. On our way, we passed the beautiful National Cathedral (which I had never seen before!)…
And then we spent the first half of the afternoon working at one of our favorite spots – Barnes & Noble. Our Honda needed some work done at the dealership, and since I remembered from a previous trip that there was a Honda right next to a B&N up in Bethesda, we packed lunch and made a day of it.
Mid-day we needed to stretch our legs and get some air, so we packed up and headed to find another good Wi-Fi spot. We ended up discovering a little gem of a tea house called Zen Tava Tava – I wish we had something like this in Old Town!
White peony tea – so light and delicious!
Our day in Bethesda was fun, but unfortunately it led to an insaaaanely long 2-hour drive home due to DC rush hour traffic. We made our way past the Cathedral again – this time as the sun was setting.
Today – as all Saturdays should be – has been all about relaxing and slowing down.
Up early to do a little working in the dark (my favorite time of morning).
Relaxing in the sunshine.
Major house cleaning.
Wearing old favorite hoodies.
Running lots of errands.
And buying things like pretty candles so that the house smells a little more like figs and flowers and a little less like dog farts.
A new workout shirt to make tomorrow’s run more exciting.
And of course, a tooth-cleaning kit for dogs.
I’m talking to YOU, stink breath.
The kit said to start by showing the toothbrush and paste to your dog. I showed it – he feared it.
But he was actually pretty cool about letting me give them a good scrub.
What, you didn’t brush your dogs teeth today? :)
And now it’s 7pm on Saturday night and I’m wearing my chewed up slippers and my pink plaid pajama pants.
And all is right with the world. Happy weekend!
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We tried to brush our dog’s teeth..and gave up. He wouldn’t have it!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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Good for you! I have tried to brush my cats’ teeth, no bueno! They would have none of it.
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I’m really digging the cups from that tea shop!
Wonder if they sell them.
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That cathedral is gorgeous! I can’t imagine what it must look like inside. White peony tea sounds pretty good, I’d love to expand my knowledge of teas beyond the basics.
and your slippers look exactly like how mine now look thanks to the 9 puppies we’ve had moving about our house lately! I gave up on retying mine.
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The National Cathedral is beautiful!
I am also sitting on my couch in my sweatpants – I have an old fuzzy pair of socks on. I love taking the time to do some relaxing on the weekend.
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Haha! The picture of you showing the toothbrush to your dog is absolutely hilarious! Sounds like a wonderful saturday to me…I am also on my couch in my pjs at 8:00 pm!
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Oh I am relieved! I thought only I had a farting dog! Lol
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That sounds like my kind of weekend! I love how you wrote you wanted your house to smell like figs and not dog fats – I bought potpourri from Pier One yesterday – it smells really good!
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Gorgeous photos! Love the first National Cathedral photo – great framing. Impressed your little ones let you brush their teeth. Mine just want to lick and eat the tooth paste, which usually leaves me needing a shower or a change of clothes afterwards.
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I was actually considering brushing my dog’s teeth today too. Problem is, he likes to steal the toothbrush and chew it up…I hope that counts as brushing!
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Classic. With the doggie teeth brushing. I know how HARD that can be…but good for you. We had sooo much dental work for our dogs b/c we didnt do it. I had no idea things could go wrong like that. way to be proactive!
love the white peony tea…oh that looks great
and your pics..stunning shots!
:)
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Awww INDY!! The “he feared it” photo is too perfect. Love the skepticism in his eyes.
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Sounds like the same weekend I am having, except without a dog and plaid pants ;)
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The National Cathedral is so beautiful – how lucky that you guys live to close to all that beautiful architecture.
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Love the picture of you showing your pup the tooth brush, and the ones of the National Cathedral, too.
Sounds like a great Saturday!
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We give our puppy things to chew that will clean her teeth, but she has such a sensitive stomach we have to be careful. The cats on the other hand, we tried brushing their teeth and they had NONE of it! I gave up and just try to move away when they start drooling as it is the Worst smelling thing in the world :/
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Haha, I have this poultry flavored toothpaste I got for Clyde at the vet and have never actually brushed his teeth with it, I’ve just done the “finger method” like twice. I need to get in there with the toothbrush and see if he’ll tolerate it!
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Our vet told us that in order for our pup to get “used to” a teethbrushing…. to use the toothgrush with PEANUTBUTTER first… that way, she’ll really like it.. and you do this a few times and then switch over to the actual toothe paste. We haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure it works!
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I love Bethesda! :D And the National Cathedral is too pretty! I love it there!
Gah, this post makes me want to move to DC NOW! I have to keep telling myself only another year and a half.
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Is that a SodaStream bottle in one of your pics? I got one for Christmas and I love it!
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OMG that picture of Indy fearing the toothbrush is so funny. His expression is priceless.
My dog will not let us brush his teeth.
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Sigh. Dog tooth brushing is the bane of my existence. We get a lecture EVERY time we go the vet so I do it out of guilt. It is WAY harder and grosser than getting my kids to brush their teeth!
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Yay! Your dogs have clean teeth now :)
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There is also a Honda dealership on Duke street, right before you get to 395 (if you’re coming from Old Town). But Bethesda is awesome so I can see why you made a day of it!
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Kathy Reply:
January 15th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
P.S.- I love your blog! (I have read for a little while now but have never commented.) My husband and I moved from Alexandria in August. We LOVED walking around Old Town…I am very jealous of your location!
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I love the picture of your dog staring at the toothpaste… what an expression! :) Love your blog btw!
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Saturdays are always suuuuuper busy, I am in desperate need of a lazy Saturday!
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I love packing my lunch when I know I will be in the car all day and not have access to healthy eats. Glad you got your house all clean :) Isn’t it nice to sit back and relax in a clean house?
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Your pictures are beautiful!! I love days like that! B&N is one of my favorite WiFi spots as well!
That picture with your dog eyeing the toothbrush is too stinking cute!!
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That photo of him eying the toothpaste is toooooo funny! My dogs hate the brushing and won’t let me get in there very easily!
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Sounds like my kind of weekend. I just want to know where the chocolate was? That would have made it perfect.
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Wow that cathedral is breathtaking!!
New workout clothes are the best workout motivation :) Sounds like a great weekend to me!
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I love the expression on your dog’s face!
Priceless!
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The National Cathedral is so pretty :)
It looks like you had a perfect Saturday!
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The cathedral is beautiful. We are so close in Lancaster PA but always working own our own business. Someday I want to see all the places you’ve shown us. Doggie tooth cleaning hilarious. Relaxing this AM too husband in Hot Tub 5y.o.grandaughter sleeping and me here reading your blog with Dunkin Donuts coffee.
Still trying to get that peanut flour. Found a whole foods maybe 45″ away and no turnpike tolls want to try soon. Maybe they will have it. Thank you for introducing me to all these new foods. Still learning since last April diet change.
Blessings Lancaster PA Gal
Go Steelers!!
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I have totally brushed my dog’s teeth before! haha And that tea place looks like the perfect place for getting some work done.
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The only way a weekend should be! :) Sounds perfect.
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Sounds like a great day! I have the same slippers and pajama pants…and wear them often :)
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the look on your dogs face while you are showing him the toothbrush is priceless.
I need to brush my dogs teeth more… I used to do it daily, but now I share custody of her and it’s not done on the days she’s with her dad.
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HAHAHA OMGOSH…His face when you are showing him the toothbrush is the cutest thing ever. Love it!
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I have to do the same to my cat… ;-) sigh
I’m surprised to see the products you use to clean, no biodegradable products ?
I also work from home (my boyfriend also) and it’s a pleasure to go out like this !
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The simplest days are the best, aren’t they? I love waking up early. It always makes me feel so productive, even if I’m lounging. And I admire your cleaning ambition!
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Hi Emily!
If you never have, you must plan to go INSIDE the National Cathederal sometime. As beautiful as it is outside, it’s more beautiful inside. Even if you’re not religious, the architecture is incredible! We have a friend who lives in DC and he’s an architect. He was able to explain all of the little details that you might miss not knowing the trade. There’s a wonderful little gift shop there and beautiful gardens. Try it sometime. There’s also a great Mexican restaurant near there called Cactus Cantina. Happy Sunday!
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HA! Love that picture of his face when you showed him the toothbrush and paste! Classic!
Lovin’ the weekend plans! Mine’s about the same and I managed to convince myself that a run in minus degree weather is a GOOD thing!
Have a great Sunday!
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The look on your dogs face is priceless!!!!! I love it. I’m surprised he let you clean his teeth like that. What a good boy :)
I’ve passed by the Cathedral before during our roadtrip vacation to DC and it is AMAZING! We tried to see the inside, but the doors were locked so we just drove by the outside a couple of times. Gorgeous!
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I brush my dog’s teeth everyday! It doesn’t help with his breath, but his teeth look good and are pretty healthy, and that’s the important thing!
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That pic with your dog looking at the toothbrush is funny/cute!
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I used to brush my dog’s teeth, but soon gave up! He HATED it! :P
Such a cute photo of you and him though! :)
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I lurveee DC! I applied to two schools there, guess that says something about me? ;)
Big tea-bags like that are my favorite, especially little cafes!
I would never brush my dog’s teeth, her mouth is too stinky! ;)
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Hah! The picture of you showing him the toothpaste is hilarious!!
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1. I want that mug with the pink silicone ring. 2. I need those candles for the same reason. 3. Kenna needs her teeth cleaned. 4. Crap, I need to clean. 5. I want to come visit. <3
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Our vet gave us a toothpaste sample so Buddy — it’s chicken flavored. That’s a little strange to me. :)
I love working at Barnes and Noble. Definitely one of my favorite places!
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My boyfriend has two ancient wienie dogs, 14 and 15 and their breath will knock you over. Then I read an article in the Dog Whisperer magazine about adding a rinse to your pet’s water for fresher breath. I thought, “What the heck…can’t hurt.” I found a 32 oz. size of Nutri-Vet Breath Fresh Dental Rinse at Pet Smart for around $12. We’ve been using it for about 2 weeks now and I’m happy to report it works! While they still have ‘dog breath’ they don’t have bad breath anymore.
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:) We brush our dogs’ teeth also! It is always a fun time:)
Hope you have a great Sunday!
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Is that the soda stream maker?? I see the bottle, how do you like it? (if it is that).
I always thought it would be hard to brush dogs’ teeth. Haha, you have a good dog that sits seemingly still :)
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Sounds like my kind of relaxing weekend! Enjoy the last bits :)
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I love your dogs! Ive written before about having ashore hair pointer too. I love those spots! Anyway, that under armour shirt is my current favorite shirt! Hope you like yours just as much. Amy
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Amy Reply:
January 16th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Short Hair – stinking iPad! :)
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[...] think it’s pretty obvious from the fact that I was cleaning and running errands all day yesterday, my scheduled long run did not happen as planned. But that is okay, because [...]
I have slippers that look exactly like yours. I love them and they are so so comfortable! :) It sounds like you had a very relaxing day! It’s definitely nice to relax and unwind!
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When I worked in Alexandria, down route 1 from Old Town, I went to the Honda dealership there. If you want to go to one closer. I don’t think they have a cool tea shop near there though. :)
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Oh yes, I have tried brushing my stubborn dogs teeth. She was not haviny any of it! I love Pier 1 imports! It’s one of my favorite stores. They have such cute stuff in there (the animal shaped mugs are my favorite :)
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Sounds like a wonderful relaxing weekend! I love anything fig! It’s kind of hard to come by sometimes though :)
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Bahaha “and a little less like dog farts”. I love it. That picture of you showing the toothpaste is priceless. :) Glad you had a good weekend, despite the traffic!
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I LOVE the pic of your dog eyeing you and the toothbrush suspiciously! Totally perked up my wait in the airport! :)
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hey emily – there is a really great product out there called ora-vet. it’s like vaseline and you smear it on your dog’s teeth (with a nice little sponge/applicator) after you brush their teeth. it prevents plaque build up and help with bad breath. we buy it through our vet every 6 months – not expensive and totally worth it. we do it once a month for our dog, buttons. here’s a link if you’re interested: http://www.oravet.us.merial.com/
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 18th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Awesome – thank you!
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Let’s hope that you don’t need more work done on your car but I might recommend a route to Bethesda that doesn’t go by the Cathedral — while it is beautiful, you are going to hit a lot more traffic that way. I usually take the GW parkway to 495. That way it is still a pretty drive.
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Emily Malone Reply:
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:40 am
Sounds like a much better route than what we did!
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